The Road to Recovery

In the woods again? Three steps to get out unharmed

By Webb Heintzelman

Golf is an easy game when you consistently drive the ball in the fairway and reach the green in regulation. But in reality, an amateur golfer will find the fairway with his or her tee shot an average of just 30 percent of the time and find the green in regulation only 20 percent of the time.

Learning how to recover from an errant shot is a valuable asset. The three most important keys to good recovery golf are contact, trajectory and distance.

In order to learn to keep the ball down, you must practice. When you visit the range, begin your warm-up in the following manner:

Select a 7 iron.

Position the ball back in your stance.

Move 70 percent of your weight to your forward foot.

Use a 1/2 to 3/4 back-swing with a short follow through.

You will begin to appreciate how your contact will improve, your trajectory will be lower and, as long as you keep the pace of your swing consistent, your distance will be consistent. Select various clubs _ 3-iron, 5-iron or 9-iron – and watch your trajectory and distance change.

It is extremely important to understand what each club will produce in terms of trajectory and distance. You are now ready for my 3-step plan to successful recovery.

Step 1

Consider Your Options

Stand behind the ball and look toward the green. Ask yourself, is there and opening to hit through? Is there a bunker, water or rough to carry? How far do you have to carry the ball?

Determine the lie of the ball. With a bare lie you have 100 percent control. A ball sitting up in the rough, you will have 60 percent control and a ball sitting down in the rough, you will have 30 percent control.

Determine if there are tree limbs or other obstacles to avoid, like tree stumps or hills roots.

Look toward the fairway. Look toward the green. Decide which opening would be most advantageous to advancing your ball and giving you the best opportunity to save a few strokes.

Step 2

Rate Your Chances of Success

Since skill level is a major factor in recovery shots, here are some guidelines to help you determine your best move.

Beginner Level – Choose the easiest opening with the least amount of risk involved in getting your ball back in play. (Toward the fairway)

Intermediate Level – Look at all options, choose an aggressive option with medium risk. (Toward the fairway, but closer to the green)

Advanced Level – Look ahead for all options. Go for the gold! (Toward the green)

Step 3

Pick Your Shot & Commit to It

Once you have chosen the most practical opening, the club to use and a landing area that will provide good results, take a few practice swings to feel the shot. Take your time in your alignment; focus on your opening and think of positive results. Remember, you have hit this shot many times on the practice range before attempting to pull it off on the course.

Contact, trajectory and distance are the keys to success. Everyone is capable of improving their abilities and being able to enjoy more opportunities on recovery shots.

You are now on the “Road to Recovery.” Good luck!